Steelhead

Oncorhynchus mykiss

(Up to 20lbs+)

One of the most prized species on a fly, the Steelhead is an anadromous sea-run rainbow trout, usually returning to freshwater to spawn after 2 to 3 years in the ocean. Unlike most Salmon, steelheads survive spawning and can spawn multiple times with a space of a few months between episodes. Smolts remain in rivers for a year before heading out to sea, and can return to their rivers either reproductively immature (summer-run) to complete their growth in freshwater, or return later (winter-run) once they maturation is complete and they are ready to spawn.